Looking for a graduate scholarship in the Middle East that covers everything from tuition to your flight home? The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027 offers exactly that, funding Master’s and PhD study in Qatar for both Qatari and international students.
Established in 2014, the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies is a not-for-profit institution focused on the social sciences, humanities, public administration, and development economics. Its flagship award, the Tamim Scholarship, is merit-based and dedicated to the most academically distinguished Qatari and international students in the Arab world and beyond.
However, the process works in two stages: you first apply for admission, and only admitted students receive a separate scholarship application form to complete. Therefore, getting your admission application in well ahead of the January deadline gives you more room to handle the scholarship paperwork that follows.
Quick Facts
- Host Institution: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Doha, Qatar
- Program Type: Master’s and Doctoral degrees
- Funded By: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (Tamim Scholarship and need-based awards)
- Eligible Applicants: Qatari citizens, residents, and international students worldwide
- Admission Application Window: September 1, 2026 – January 5, 2027
- Scholarship Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
About the Doha Institute Scholarships
The Doha Institute offers more than one funding path. The Tamim Scholarship is awarded on academic merit and excellence, while separate need-based scholarships are available for both Qatari and international students who require financial support. Resident students, meanwhile, can receive tuition assistance ranging from 10% to 100%, depending on demonstrated financial need.
As a result, applicants have more than one route into funded study here, depending on their academic profile and financial circumstances. If you’re comparing other Middle East-based fully funded programs, the KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia is worth a look for a STEM-focused alternative in the same region.
What’s Covered (Financial Benefits)
For international students on the Tamim Scholarship, the package is genuinely comprehensive. Benefits include:
- 100% tuition fee coverage
- Free accommodation in the institute’s dormitories
- A monthly living stipend
- Health insurance
- Two round-trip travel tickets — one upon arrival, and one after graduation
Callout: Need-based scholarships for resident students work differently, offering tuition assistance from 10% to 100% depending on financial circumstances rather than a fixed full package. This tiered approach is a bit different from the flat, automatic funding structure of the Asia Pacific University ADB Scholarship 2027, so it’s worth checking which category applies to you before you apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a Doha Institute scholarship, you must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree (final-year students may apply with transcripts to date)
- Be applying for an eligible Master’s or Doctoral program at the Institute
- Submit only one admission application — repeated applications for multiple programs are not accepted
- Demonstrate strong academic performance for Tamim Scholarship consideration, or qualifying financial need for need-based awards
- Be a Qatari citizen, resident, or international applicant — the scholarship is open to all nationalities
Reading your specific program’s requirements closely matters here too, much like the country-specific eligibility criteria on the University of Milan DSU Scholarship.
Required Documents
Before applying, prepare the following:
- A copy of your official identification (passport for international students, Qatari ID for citizens and residents)
- A Bachelor’s degree certificate, or complete transcripts to date for final-year students
- Academic transcripts from all previous institutions
- Certified translations of any documents not already in English or Arabic
How to Apply
- Create an account on the official Doha Institute admissions portal and verify your email.
- Complete the admission form, selecting your intended Master’s or PhD program.
- Upload your required documents, ensuring translations are certified and PDFs are clear.
- Submit your admission application between September 1, 2026, and January 5, 2027.
- Wait for the scholarship application form, sent directly by the Admissions Office to eligible admitted students.
- Complete and submit the scholarship form (Tamim or need-based) before the final deadline of January 15, 2027.
- Prepare for a possible interview, conducted virtually or in person, as part of the review process.
Therefore, submitting your admission application early — well before the January 5 cutoff — gives the Admissions Office more time to review your file and send you the scholarship form promptly.
Why This Scholarship Is Worth the Effort
Between the Tamim Scholarship’s comprehensive coverage and the flexibility of need-based funding for residents, the Doha Institute offers a genuinely accessible path into graduate study in the Middle East. In addition, its focus on social sciences and development economics makes it a strong fit for students aiming to work on policy, governance, or regional development after graduation.
If you’re weighing more fully funded graduate options, browse our full list of scholarships to compare Doha Institute against other programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the Tamim Scholarship. It covers full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and two round-trip flights. Need-based awards for residents offer partial tuition assistance instead.
The admission application closes January 5, 2027, and the scholarship application deadline is January 15, 2027.
No, not upfront. You first apply for admission, and only admitted students receive a separate scholarship form to complete
Yes. The scholarship is open to Qatari citizens, residents, and international students from all nationalities.
Only one. Repeated applications for more than one program will not be considered.